The UK Foreign Office and many other Western nations advise against all travel to Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital city, due to the threat of terrorist attacks and kidnappings
By Harry Thompson Senior News Reporter & Kris Boratyn
Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia and one of Africa’s largest coastal cities, is now considered too perilous for tourists to visit. Despite its population skyrocketing from 54,661 in 1950 to nearly three million today, the city’s reputation has drastically changed. Once dubbed the “White Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” Mogadishu was a popular tourist spot during Somalia’s “golden age” in the 1970s, known for its stunning coastline and white buildings. However, years of political unrest and violence have turned this once bustling tourist hub into one of the globe’s most dangerous cities for travellers.
The UK government, along with other Western nations, strongly discourages travel to Mogadishu due to the constant threat of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and general violence. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group active in the area, regularly targets the city with suicide bombings and assaults on government buildings, hotels, and areas frequented by Westerners.
The UK Foreign Office has specifically warned that British nationals, including tourists and aid workers, are seen as potential targets, and that kidnapping poses a significant risk. The city’s problems can be traced back to the Somali Civil War that erupted in the early 1990s, which destroyed the city’s infrastructure and displaced thousands of residents.
The conflict raged for over 20 years, but some semblance of stability only returned with the establishment of Somalia’s Federal Government in 2012. Mogadishu has seen a glimmer of revival with new hotels, smoother roads and an upgraded airport, reports the Express.
Yet, the security situation is still fraught, and independent travel is a no-go due to persistent violence and terror threats. Despite this, there are efforts to kickstart tourism, though any trip demands heavy-duty security.
Companies like Untamed Borders and Mogadishu Adventure are offering guided tours complete with armed escorts to spots like Liido Beach and local markets. These packages come with round-the-clock personal security and bulletproof rides – standard issue for visitors.
But even with such measures, the threat of gunfire, blasts, and abductions looms large. The British Government warns: “British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.”
Source: DAILY STAR
